Leading global telecommunications companies, ISPs, and network operators will begin sharing information on Internet attacks as members of a new group called the "Fingerprint Sharing Alliance," according to a published statement from the new group.

The companies, including EarthLink, Asia Netcom, British Telecommunications, and MCI, will share detailed profile information on attacks launched against their networks. Information to be shared will include the source of attacks. The alliance will make it easier for ISPs and network operators to crack down on global Internet attacks more quickly, according to Tom Schuster, president of Arbor Networks, which launched the new alliance.